A technician takes the X-ray while the person inhales fully and holds their breath. Doctors use X-rays to take images of the chest and look for signs of a collapsed lung. Imaging is an important part of most diagnoses. They may also ask about any family history of lung disorders. They may tap on their chest to check for abnormal sounds or listen to their breathing through a stethoscope.ĭoctors will also ask someone about their medical history and habits, such as smoking. In non-emergency situations, doctors will first physically examine a person to look for signs of the disorder. This process leads to increased air pressure in the pleural space that is life-threatening and needs immediate treatment.ĭiagnosing pneumothorax can be complicated due to the variety of symptoms and causes. This is caused by a leak in the pleural space that resembles a one-way valve.Īs a person inhales, the air leaks into the pleural space and becomes trapped. Tension pneumothoraxĪny of these types of pneumothorax can turn into a tension pneumothorax. Doctors will often monitor people after these procedures to catch any early signs that may need treatment. Inserting a catheter into a vein in the chest or taking a sample of lung tissue may lead to a pneumothorax. The force of these different pressures can cause damage to the lungs, which may take the form of a pneumothorax.Ĭertain medical procedures may also lead to traumatic pneumothorax. When divers breathe from a compressed air tank, they experience different levels of pressure from the water and the air itself. Scuba divers have to take precautions when underwater to prevent pneumothorax. This is common in people who have experienced a blast trauma from an explosion. Other causes include sports injuries, car accidents, and puncture or stab wounds.Ī traumatic pneumothorax can occur even if there is no noticeable wound on the chest. The sharp points of the broken bone can puncture the chest wall and damage lung tissue. One of the most common ways this occurs is when someone fractures a rib. Potential causes include blunt trauma or an injury that damages the chest wall and pleural space. Traumatic pneumothoraxĪ traumatic pneumothorax is the result of an impact or injury. The risk may also be higher if a family member has previously experienced SSP. Under certain conditions, children are also at risk for SSP. lung cancer and sarcomas involving the lungsĬertain connective tissue disorders may also cause SSP.lung infections, such as tuberculosis and certain forms of pneumonia.chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Lung diseases that may increase the risk of developing pneumothorax include: SSP carries more serious symptoms than PSP, and it is more likely to cause death. Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP) can be caused by a variety of lung diseases and disorders. If treated promptly, PSP is usually not fatal. Women who smoke tobacco are nine times more likely than nonsmokers to develop PSP. A review in the medical journal BMJ noted that men who smoke tobacco are 22 times more likely to develop PSP than nonsmokers. The most important risk factor associated with PSP is smoking tobacco. people with a family history of pneumothoraces.The direct cause of PSP is unknown.Īt-risk groups for primary spontaneous pneumothorax include: Image credit: decade3d/ istockĪ primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) occurs when the person has no known history of lung disease. Share on Pinterest If air gets in between the lung and the chest wall, it can cause the lung to collapse in on itself.
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